EVERTON are closing in on a loan deal for Manchester United misfit Tom Cleverley, but James McCarthy will not be heading to Old Trafford.

The England international has failed to impress new boss Louis Van Gaal, and looks certain to exit the club before tonight's 11pm transfer window deadline.

Both Aston Villa and Spanish side Valencia have made offers to take Cleverley on permanent deals, but United would rather let him leave on loan.

The Red Devils are closing in on Monaco's Radamel Falcao after completing a move for Ajax's Daley Blind, with a bid in the works for Inter Milan's Fredy Guarin

United have also been linked with a surprise swoop for Toffees star James McCarthy, but Roberto Martinez is refusing to part with the tenacious midfielder.

However, Everton's stance on the Irishman will not compromise a deal for Cleverley, and Martinez will be hoping to complete the transfer soon after already moving for the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Samuel Eto'o this summer.

Cleverley will be hoping to seal his loan switch quickly as he attempts to win back his England place under Roy Hodgson, and is set to compete with McCarthy and Gareth Barry for a place in the Toffees' midfield.